PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
We hiked up the mountain.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Backpacks digging in, creating sores where they rubbed.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Blisters on toes, walking boots rubbing the backs of ankles.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
In draining heat, we struggled on.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Breath becoming ragged from reduced oxygen.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Energy fading, enthusiasm too.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Pacing it out, determined not to fail.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Reaching the summit, catching our breath.
“It’ll be worthwhile,” they said.
Spectacular waterfall.
“It was absolutely worthwhile,” we said.
Word Count: 100
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Haha, love it. This reminds me of many a holiday with my parents being dragged on hill walks. Only looking back now with hindsight would I be able to say it was worth it. I wish I had appreciated it more at the time 🙂
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The wonder of hindsight! 🙂
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Of course, after all those hours, it’ll be time to start back down before night falls. Welcome back Clare
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Yes, you’re absolutely right! Thank you.
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Echoes of my childhood. And I felt almost duty bound to be unimpressed. 😉
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Unimpressed externally, but maybe not internally?
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Loved the rhythm with those repeats. Great take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan. I am pleased you liked it.
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Wow, that’s a relief! Nice one Claire
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Thanks, Keith – it could have gone either way!
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Great! After all that it just HAD to be worth it. And it was.
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Thanks, Jilly. Appreciate the comment 🙂
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It reads like cadences. The repetition and rhythm can certain be marched to. And, like they said, it would most be worthwhile.
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Thanks very much, Magaly.
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I loved it… was half-expecting it to NOT be worthwhile! 😉
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Thank you Dale. With such a lovely photo prompt, it had to be worthwhile, didn’t it?!
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True…🙂
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The best things in life do require us to pay the toll. Totally worth it. 😊
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Thanks very much. 🙂
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I’m glad after all that it was indeed worthwhile! I like the repetition.
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Thanks, Draliman. I’m glad you liked it.
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A worthwhile story, Clare!
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Thanks, ceayr. Sometimes, things have to be endured to experience the breath-taking!
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Dear Clare,
I was nearly breathless at the end of this hike. Love the rhythm. Your story? It was worthwhile. Totally. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I appreciate your encouragement. 😁
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Your piece reminded me of walking El Barranco del Infierno in Tenerife to find a pool and a slender waterfall at the end. Only to be seen while the snow melts, but well worth hours of struggle.
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Thanks,Liz. I’m pleased it brought back a happy memory.
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sometimes it pays to listen to those who have gone before you. 🙂
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Very true! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’m pleased after all that effort it was worth it in the end. Nicely constructed the repetition builds the piece well.
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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That’s great. The repetition makes this piece sing!
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Thank you very much
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Excellent us of the literary device of repetition. It never got boring 🙂
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Thanks, Granonine
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I love this! It sounds like my husband as he “drags” me up a hill for a good view or a hike. It is always worth it no matter the complaining I do. =) Beautifully written prose.
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Thank you so much for such a lovely comment.
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Love it, and once you are more experienced hiker we always learn that every painful step on the way is worthwhile…
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Thanks, Bjorn.
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I love it when that happens!
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